Geoscience in Your State: Oregon

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Cover of Geoscience Policy State Factsheet. Image credit: AGI

By the numbers: Oregon

  • 4,914 geoscience employees (excludes self-employed)1
  • 1.48 billion gallons/day: total groundwater withdrawal3
  • $474 million: value of nonfuel mineral production in 20174
  • 73 total disaster declarations, including 40 fire, 14 flood, and 13 severe storm disasters (1953-2017)⁶
  • $143 million: NSF GEO grants awarded in 201714...

Agencies Working on Geoscience Issues in oregon

Oregon Department of Energy

ODOE is focused on helping Oregon remain an energy leader and reach the state’s energy and climate goals.

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is a regulatory agency whose job is to protect the quality of Oregon's environment. DEQ's mission is to be a leader in restoring, maintaining and enhancing the quality of Oregon's air, land and water.

Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries

DOGAMI’s mission is to provide earth science information and regulation to make Oregon safe and prosperous.

Oregon Department of State Lands

The mission of the Department of State Lands is to ensure a legacy for Oregonians and their public schools through sound stewardship of lands, wetlands, waterways, unclaimed property, estates and the Common School Fund. 

Oregon Office of Emergency Management

The OEM mission is to lead statewide efforts to develop and enhance preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation capabilities to protect the lives, property and environment of the whole community.

Oregon Water Resources Department

The Department's mission is to serve the public by practicing and promoting responsible water management through to restoration and protection of streamflows and watersheds in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of Oregon's ecosystems, economy, and quality of life.

Case Studies & Factsheets

Cover of AGI Factsheet 2018-004 - Present Day Climate Change

Climate Science 101 Climate is the average of weather conditions over several decades.1,2 Geoscientists monitor modern climate conditions (1880 A.D. to present) in part by taking direct measurements of weather data (i.e., air temperature, rainfall and snowfall, wind speed, cloudiness, and so on)...

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More than just volcanic eruptions Volcanic eruptions are a serious hazard. But at many stratovolcanoes in Washington, Oregon, Northern California, and Alaska, landslides and debris flows can be just as dangerous. Some of these - especially volcanic mudflows (lahars) - are directly triggered by...

Cover of AGI Factsheet 2018-002-Geologic Mapping and Public Health

Using Geologic Maps to Protect Public Health Geologic maps can be used to understand and mitigate public health risks across the US, in addition to their more traditional use in resource and infrastructure decisions. Geologic maps can show the location of naturally occurring hazardous materials and...

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What is a Dry Well? A dry well is a well that is used to transmit surface water underground and is deeper than its width at the surface (see image, below). Most dry wells are 30 to 70 feet deep and 3 feet wide at the surface. They are lined with perforated casings and can be filled with gravel or...

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Introduction Dry wells improve stormwater drainage and aquifer recharge by providing a fast, direct route for rainwater to drain deep into underlying sediment and rock. Dry wells are most common in the western U.S. where clay or caliche layers slow down the natural drainage of water into underlying...

Cover of Geoscience Policy State Factsheet. Image credit: AGI

By the numbers: Oregon 4,914 geoscience employees (excludes self-employed)1 1.48 billion gallons/day: total groundwater withdrawal3 $474 million: value of nonfuel mineral production in 20174 73 total disaster declarations, including 40 fire, 14 flood, and 13 severe storm disasters (1953-2017)⁶...